By Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Want to call attention to a couple of recent news releases regarding boat/fishing access:
Boat ramp improvements made at Merritt Reservoir
The Beed’s Landing boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will close to access Sept. 9-19 to allow for concrete work and improvements.
Visitors might see machinery and site preparations beginning prior to the closure. The project will enhance accessibility by improving the connection from the Americans with Disabilities Act trailer parking slip to the top of the ramp. New sidewalks will be added along the length of the ramp to improve access to docks.
Recent repairs also were completed at Powder Horn boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area, where winter heaving had damaged the launch. A center section of the ramp was replaced while lake levels were low. The ramp will reopen once water levels rise. A new roll-in dock system is expected to be installed at the ramp ahead of next boating season.
All work is being completed by Nebraska Game and Parks’ Engineering Division and the Operations and Construction team, with funding provided through Game Cash.
To view an interactive map of public boating waters in Nebraska, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/.
And a big project starting here:
Lewis and Clark SRA’s Weigand Marina to close for construction
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area’s Weigand Marina will be closed to access beginning Sept. 11 to allow for the start of a multimillion-dollar marina upgrade project.
This closure, which includes the Weigand slips and boat ramp, will extend through 2026.
Boat ramps will be available at the Miller Creek, Bloomfield and South Shore areas, where the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is working on a temporary parking lot expansion, installation of additional temporary mooring docks and other enhancements.
The park headquarters in the Weigand area will remain open during early phases of construction.
This construction project, which will begin with the removal of docks, will not affect Weigand or Burbach campgrounds, lodging, the fish-cleaning station, dump station and other related amenities.
Questions may be directed to the park office at 402-388-4169.
